WING, SWAPNO hold workshop on Women’s Day

SWAPNO and WING, two gender responsive projects of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held a day-long workshop titled “Experience & knowledge sharing workshop” with SME entrepreneurs and the transgender community on Thursday to commemorate International Women's Day 2022.

Main purpose of the workshop was to recognize women’s contribution in achieving gender equality and enhance knowledge on Digital payment and e-commerce ecosystems in Bangladesh.

As the guest of honor, Prasenjit Chakma, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, inaugurated the workshop and said, “If we critically analyze this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, we can understand that gender equality in every sector will ensure a sustainable tomorrow for future generation.”

Speaking as the chief guest, Afroza Khan, Managing Director of Joyeeta Foundation, said, “Despite challenges, women have come a long way to build their identity. Thanks to our hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for whom Bangladesh has now become the role model of women empowerment. Apart from women entrepreneurs, transwomen are also moving forward. WING’s Anondomela digital platform helped our entrepreneurs during the advent of COVID-19 which regained their confidence.”

Habibur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division and National Project Director of Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities(SWAPNO) project, was present in the workshop as the special guest

Representatives from government’s a2i program and SSL Commerz conducted a knowledge sharing session where they displayed their digital innovations like ‘Easy merchant app’ for entrepreneurs.

Chondona Ghosh, one of the WING programme beneficiary, shared her experiences of working with WING’s Anondomela business platform.  

Sinthia and Manisha Meem expressed their joyful gratitude to include them through Anondomelaplatform.

In closing remarks, A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Commerce and DG-VoktaOdhikar, highlighted the initiatives of Ministry of Commerce like Digital Business Identification (DBID).

Among others, representatives from transgender community, male and female entrepreneurs, were also present.

GY